If you’re setting off for a getaway to Florence, you’re in for a special treat! This beautiful city boasts an abundance of historical sites, majestic architecture, and, without a doubt, scrumptious food. In this guide, we’ll provide you with 12 restaurants you must visit when you’re in Florence.
From classic Italian fare to something more adventurous, you’ll surely find something that will delight your taste buds and make your journey memorable. Don’t miss out on the exciting culinary experiences Florence has to offer
12 Must-Try Florence Restaurants
1. Semel
Semel is one of the best restaurants in Florence, located next to the very local Sant’Ambrogio market. When business is busy, finding a spot at the sandwich shop can be challenging. The small counter is filled with freshly made buns and various changing fillings listed on a blackboard.
Each sandwich is delicately prepared with the most delicious of ingredients, including wild boar and polenta, figs and salami, donkey stew, and pecorino cheese with pears and truffle. The taste of the food is out of this world and always worth the wait in line. Semel offers some of the best street food in Florence, which is well worth visiting.
2. Gunè San Frediano
Gunè San Frediano is a sophisticated yet relaxed restaurant in San Frediano, Florence’s hippest neighborhood. Famous for its retro-glam vibe, Gunè has become one of the city’s most popular dining spots. The award-winning bartender Eleonora Romolini has created a variety of signature cocktails, such as the Basil Instincts and Artemide.
The menu is a fusion of Southern Italian and Florentine cuisine, with dishes such as paccheri pasta with francesina and the Valdarno pigeon three ways. The atmosphere is lively and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a night out. With its great food, drinks, and atmosphere, Gunè is one of the best restaurants in Florence.
3. Trattoria Sergio Gozzi
Trattoria Sergio Gozzi is an absolute must-visit Florence restaurant. This quaint restaurant is a rare relic of old-world charm, with time seemingly standing still for several decades. Every day, the menu is printed with the day’s date, ensuring the freshest, seasonal ingredients.
Expect to find some delicious pasta and soups, such as pici alla carrettiera or ribollita. For the main course, dishes such as roast pork, peposa, and trippa alla Fiorentina are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Do note that the restaurant is only open for lunch, from Monday to Saturday.
4. Osteria dell’Enoteca
Located in the historic Oltrarno district of Florence, Osteria dell’Enoteca is a contemporary space offering an array of exquisite Tuscan dishes with a modern touch. The menu changes with the seasons, offering burrata gazpacho in summer, pappardelle with venison sauce and braised wild boar in winter, and extraordinary steak year round.
The T-bone steak is an absolute must-try at this restaurant, with the Fassona from Piedmont and Chianina from Tuscany being the most sought-after cuts. The steak is cooked over an open fire for that smoky flavor and served rare, so if you prefer your steak cooked through, you may want to opt for something else.
This restaurant is managed by the same ownership as Pitti Gola e Cantina, an excellent nearby wine bar.
5. Essenziale
Essenziale is one of the best restaurants in Florence, renowned for its unique atmosphere and excellent cuisine. The restaurant is located in the Piazza del Cestello and offers a minimalistic design of stone floors, bright lights, and bare tables, with only water glasses and folded napkins as touch of decoration.
The menu is crafted with seasonal, regional, and local ingredients, with a few global influences, and the technique and flair of the chef, Simone Cipriani, is evident in all the dishes.
Prices at Essenziale are higher than average, and the restaurant is not a spot to simply grab a quick meal but rather an experience of the finest flavors that Florence has to offer. The combination of stunning presentation and flavor has earned Essenziale a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Florence.
6. L’Angolo Del Mare
L’Angolo Del Mare is one of the best kept secrets of Florence. Located in the northeastern outskirts, this small but amazing restaurant serves up some of the freshest, most delicious fish and seafood dishes you can find in the city. Mirco and Carmelo, the owners, used to run a restaurant in Tuscany, and they keep on using the same local suppliers to ensure all ingredients are of the highest quality.
The menu is short but ever-changing, and it features some of the best seafood delicacies like spaghetti with clams and bottarga, seared tuna with soy, tagliolini all’astice, and a whole sea bass cooked in a salt crust.
The specials change according to the daily catch. For dessert, you can try the Champagne-strawberry tiramisu. The wine list is short as well but very well-curated, offering a variety of white wines from all over Italy and the world.
The knowledgeable Carmelo and his team are always there to help you choose the best dishes and wines for your meal. L’Angolo Del Mare is definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for an amazing seafood experience in Florence.
7. Vini E Vecchi Sapori
Located just a stone’s throw away from the Uffizi Gallery, Vini E Vecchi Sapori is a must-visit restaurant for tourists and locals alike. This traditional Florentine eatery is complete with wood paneling, rustic beams, and memorabilia-lined walls. Here, diners can enjoy a variety of traditional Florentine dishes such as liver-topped crostini, and the signature peposo, a hearty beef stew with a peppery flavor.
During lunchtime, the establishment is filled with a mix of tourists and locals, all of whom appreciate the unique and delicious home-cooked meals. Vini E Vecchi Sapori is definitely one of the best restaurants in Florence, so if you get the chance, be sure to check it out.
8. Regina Bistecca
Regina Bistecca is one of the most popular restaurants in Florence, and it’s easy to see why. Located just north of the Duomo, this restaurant has been delighting guests since it opened in September 2018.
It is renowned for its signature dish, the bistecca alla Fiorentina. It is a large T-bone steak that is priced by weight. You can choose from a variety of breeds, ranging from the more affordable European Selection to the more expensive Tuscan Chianina.
The restaurant is housed in a 140-year-old bookshop, and the owners have kept the same spirit that the bookshop had. The dining area is high-ceilinged and has dark gray walls adorned with artwork.
Eating the bistecca here is a serious affair, with the steak brought to the table for approval and then presented with a bone-handled knife. It is always served very rare, so don’t dare ask for it to be well done. Whatever your choice, Regina Bistecca is one of the best restaurants in Florence and a must-visit for anyone looking to try the city’s signature dish.
9. Cantinetta Antinori
Cantinetta Antinori is one of the most prestigious Florence restaurants. Located within the 15th-century Palazzo Antinori, the restaurant is steeped in aristocratic charm. The atmosphere is elegant and refined, with white tablecloths, crystal glasses, and an attentive service staff dressed in cream-colored jackets and bow ties.
On the menu, you can find a variety of traditional Tuscan dishes like fettunta with cavolo nero, pappa al pomodoro, pasta with artichokes, ossobuco, and tagliata with pecorino cheese. All of the dishes come with generous helpings of the family’s own extra virgin olive oil.
The restaurant is particularly popular with older tourists and Florentine locals, many of whom are personal friends of the Antinori family. Cantinetta Antinori is a place where visitors can enjoy a delicious meal in a luxurious and tranquil atmosphere, with the highest quality service.
10. Borgo San Jacopo
Borgo San Jacopo is a restaurant located on the south bank of the Arno that is part of the Ferragamo-owned Hotel Lungarno. It is renowned for its gourmet delicacies and sophisticated yet laid back atmosphere. The chef, Mengoni, brings creativity and elegance to every dish.
A sample of the spring menu includes calamarata pasta with scorpion fish, lobster with potatoes and provolone cheese, roast suckling pig with salsify, and Dijon mustard. For dessert, diners can enjoy the orange-soaked baba with mascarpone and lavender cream.
Visitors to the restaurant can enjoy the view of the Ponte Vecchio from the restaurant’s tiny terrace. Borgo San Jacopo has become a favorite among Florentines, as well as guests of the Hotel Lungarno. It is the perfect destination for a luxurious and memorable gastronomic experience.
11. Zeb
Zeb is an iconic eatery in the San Niccolo district of Florence, Italy. It serves traditional Italian cuisine in a contemporary setting. Guests are greeted by the mother-and-son team of Giuseppina and Alberto, who serve meals from the long counters across the narrow space.
The daily menu is filled with fresh ingredients that are picked from the local markets. The pasta dishes like cappellacci with ricotta and truffles or pappardelle with wild boar sauce are highly sought after. Other dishes include pork rib with dried apricots and prunes, stuffed roast turkey, and eggplant parmigiana.
Zeb is also known for its desserts such as cheesecake and a luscious chocolate cake. It is widely considered to be one of the best restaurants in Florence, offering a unique dining experience that is worth indulging in.
12. Da Ruggero
Da Ruggero is a hidden gem in Florence. It serves up some of the best traditional Florentine dishes that locals and tourists alike can’t get enough of.
They offer a wide variety of local favorites, such as crostini topped with liver, Tuscan salami, ribollita, pasta with truffles or porcini mushrooms, and grilled salsicce with white beans. All of their dishes are hearty and delicious.
Despite being tucked away outside of the city center, Da Ruggero is always bustling with locals, thanks to the delicious home cooking and the relaxed atmosphere. Booking ahead is essential. If you’re looking for one of the best restaurants in Florence, Da Ruggero is definitely it.
Florence’s culinary scene blends centuries-old traditions with innovative culinary creations, reflecting the city’s rich cultural heritage. There is something for everyone in Florence’s restaurants, whether you prefer a classic Florentine steak or contemporary interpretations of Italian cuisine at a bistro.
